La morphosyntaxe de la périphérie gauche nominale

Cet article développe une analyse de la périphérie gauche nominale (PGN) éclatée où les traits de spécificité et de nombre sont les propriétés de projections fonctionnelles distinctes. Le DP représente la projection la plus haute du système. C'est l'interface entre l'univers du discours et l'expression nominale où est réalisé le trait discursif [±spécifique]. En revanche, NumP constitue la projection la plus basse du système et sert de charnière entre le système D et le système flexionnel nominal. C'est le point d'ancrage du trait de nombre et du trait référentiel [±défini] qui est repris au sein du système flexionnel (SP). Selon cette approche, nous proposons que l'interprétation spécifique est un effet sémantique qui découle du mouvement de SP vers la PGN, c'est-à-dire vers SpecNumP et SpecDP. De même, nous montrons que, dans les DP possessifs, le possédé ne peut être interprété comme spécifique que si l'ensemble de la structure prédicative incluant le possesseur et le possédé monte vers la PGN. En supposant que les phrases relatives manifestent une structure de complémentation où le système D projette au-dessus du CP, nous concluons que le groupe nominal relativisé est interprété comme spécifique lorsque la proposition relative monte vers la PGN en syntaxe. À la différence des relatives, les factives ne possèdent pas de système D. Ces syntagmes réalisent un CP dont la position SpecCP est occupée par un DP complet.This paper argues for the split-D hypothesis. The nominal left periphery consists of an articulated system where the features specific, number and definite are associated with discrete projections. DP is the highest projection of the system and expresses the interface between the discourse context and the nominal expression. Accordingly, it encodes Discourse-linked features such as specificity. On the other hand, NumP instantiates the lowest projection of the system. It is the link between the D-system and the nominal inflectional system. As such, NumP expresses agreement features (e. g. number) and certain referential features (definite) that match those of the inflectional domain (SP). Under this approach, the specific interpretation is a semantic effect that derives from movement of the inflectional domain (SP) to Spec NumP and SpecDP. We further argue that in genitive constructions, the possessee can be interpreted as specific if and only if the predicative structure that includes both the possessor and the possessee moves to SpecDP. Granting that relative clauses instantiate a structure where the D-system projects above a CP clause, we conclude that a relativized noun phrase acquires the specific interpretation when the relative clause moves to SpecDP. In this respect, the difference between relative clauses and factive clauses boils down to the presence of a D-system above CP in the former but not in the latter. This would mean that factive clauses are simple CP clauses in which SpecCP hosts a full DP

High and low negation in Sign Language of the Netherlands

In this paper, we offer a formal account of clausal negation in Sign Language of the Netherlands (NGT) based on corpus data. Data analysis reveals that NGT displays considerable variation in negative clauses with respect to (i) word order and (ii) spreading of the headshake. As for (i), we show that the different positions of the manual negator vis-à-vis the VP result from the presence of two NegPs which trigger V- or (remnant) VP-movement, which in turn allows different spell-out strategies. As for (ii), we argue that the proposed structure, while not syntactically determining the headshake’s spreading domain, does interact with spreading by defining which categories can host the headshak

Information Structuring Begins with the Numeration

This paper argues for the strong minimalist view that information structure starts in the numeration in the form of discourse-related lexical items which drive the derivation. Though sometimes covert, these discourserelated particles encode features, such as, Interrogative force, Topic, or Focus and display very specific structural behavior indicating that they project in syntax. The analysis further demonstrates that these features are comparable to other optional formal features (e.g., Case, ᶲ-features) that are added arbitrarily when the lexical item enters the numeration.Este artículo defiende la visión minimalista fuerte de que la estructura informativa comienza en la numeración en forma de piezas léxicas discursivas que dirigen la derivación. Aunque algunas veces no explícitas, estas partículas discursivas codifican rasgos tales como Fuerza interrogativa, Tópico o Foco y muestran un comportamiento estructural muy específico que indica que se proyectan en la sintaxis. El análisis también demuestra que estos rasgos son compatibles con otros rasgos formales opcionales (por ejemplo, Caso, rasgos- ᶲ) que son añadidos arbitrariamente cuando las piezas léxicas se incorporan entran a la numeración.Este artigo defende a forte visão minimalista de que a estrutura informacional começa com a numeração sob a forma de itens lexicais discursivos que conduzem a derivação. Embora por vezes não explícitas, estas partículas discursivas codificam traços, como, por exemplo, Força Interrogativa, Tópico ou Foco, e apresentam um comportamento estrutural muito específico indicando que se projectam na sintaxe. A análise demonstra ainda que tais traços são compatíveis com outros traços formais opcionais (por exemplo, Caso, Traços ᶲ) que são adicionados arbitrariamente quando o item lexical entra na numeração

Syntactic architecture and its consequences I: Syntax inside the grammar

This volume collects novel contributions to comparative generative linguistics that “rethink” existing approaches to an extensive range of phenomena, domains, and architectural questions in linguistic theory. At the heart of the contributions is the tension between descriptive and explanatory adequacy which has long animated generative linguistics and which continues to grow thanks to the increasing amount and diversity of data available to us. The chapters address research questions on the relation of syntax to other aspects of grammar and linguistics more generally, including studies on language acquisition, variation and change, and syntactic interfaces. Many of these contributions show the influence of research by Ian Roberts and collaborators and give the reader a sense of the lively nature of current discussion of topics in synchronic and diachronic comparative syntax ranging from the core verbal domain to higher, propositional domains. This book is complemented by volume II available at https://langsci-press.org/catalog/book/276 and volume III available at https://langsci-press.org/catalog/book/277

Syntactic architecture and its consequences I: Syntax inside the grammar

This volume collects novel contributions to comparative generative linguistics that “rethink” existing approaches to an extensive range of phenomena, domains, and architectural questions in linguistic theory. At the heart of the contributions is the tension between descriptive and explanatory adequacy which has long animated generative linguistics and which continues to grow thanks to the increasing amount and diversity of data available to us. The chapters address research questions on the relation of syntax to other aspects of grammar and linguistics more generally, including studies on language acquisition, variation and change, and syntactic interfaces. Many of these contributions show the influence of research by Ian Roberts and collaborators and give the reader a sense of the lively nature of current discussion of topics in synchronic and diachronic comparative syntax ranging from the core verbal domain to higher, propositional domains. This book is complemented by volume II available at https://langsci-press.org/catalog/book/276 and volume III available at https://langsci-press.org/catalog/book/277

Syntactic architecture and its consequences I: Syntax inside the grammar

This volume collects novel contributions to comparative generative linguistics that “rethink” existing approaches to an extensive range of phenomena, domains, and architectural questions in linguistic theory. At the heart of the contributions is the tension between descriptive and explanatory adequacy which has long animated generative linguistics and which continues to grow thanks to the increasing amount and diversity of data available to us. The chapters address research questions on the relation of syntax to other aspects of grammar and linguistics more generally, including studies on language acquisition, variation and change, and syntactic interfaces. Many of these contributions show the influence of research by Ian Roberts and collaborators and give the reader a sense of the lively nature of current discussion of topics in synchronic and diachronic comparative syntax ranging from the core verbal domain to higher, propositional domains. This book is complemented by volume II available at https://langsci-press.org/catalog/book/276 and volume III available at https://langsci-press.org/catalog/book/277

Syntactic architecture and its consequences I: Syntax inside the grammar

This volume collects novel contributions to comparative generative linguistics that “rethink” existing approaches to an extensive range of phenomena, domains, and architectural questions in linguistic theory. At the heart of the contributions is the tension between descriptive and explanatory adequacy which has long animated generative linguistics and which continues to grow thanks to the increasing amount and diversity of data available to us. The chapters address research questions on the relation of syntax to other aspects of grammar and linguistics more generally, including studies on language acquisition, variation and change, and syntactic interfaces. Many of these contributions show the influence of research by Ian Roberts and collaborators and give the reader a sense of the lively nature of current discussion of topics in synchronic and diachronic comparative syntax ranging from the core verbal domain to higher, propositional domains. This book is complemented by volume II available at https://langsci-press.org/catalog/book/276 and volume III available at https://langsci-press.org/catalog/book/277

Syntactic architecture and its consequences I: Syntax inside the grammar

This volume collects novel contributions to comparative generative linguistics that “rethink” existing approaches to an extensive range of phenomena, domains, and architectural questions in linguistic theory. At the heart of the contributions is the tension between descriptive and explanatory adequacy which has long animated generative linguistics and which continues to grow thanks to the increasing amount and diversity of data available to us. The chapters address research questions on the relation of syntax to other aspects of grammar and linguistics more generally, including studies on language acquisition, variation and change, and syntactic interfaces. Many of these contributions show the influence of research by Ian Roberts and collaborators and give the reader a sense of the lively nature of current discussion of topics in synchronic and diachronic comparative syntax ranging from the core verbal domain to higher, propositional domains. This book is complemented by volume II available at https://langsci-press.org/catalog/book/276 and volume III available at https://langsci-press.org/catalog/book/277

Syntactic architecture and its consequences I: Syntax inside the grammar

This volume collects novel contributions to comparative generative linguistics that “rethink” existing approaches to an extensive range of phenomena, domains, and architectural questions in linguistic theory. At the heart of the contributions is the tension between descriptive and explanatory adequacy which has long animated generative linguistics and which continues to grow thanks to the increasing amount and diversity of data available to us. The chapters address research questions on the relation of syntax to other aspects of grammar and linguistics more generally, including studies on language acquisition, variation and change, and syntactic interfaces. Many of these contributions show the influence of research by Ian Roberts and collaborators and give the reader a sense of the lively nature of current discussion of topics in synchronic and diachronic comparative syntax ranging from the core verbal domain to higher, propositional domains. This book is complemented by volume II available at https://langsci-press.org/catalog/book/276 and volume III available at https://langsci-press.org/catalog/book/277